New Lego center aims to build a good time, brick by brick

Christina Hennessy

Published 2:30 pm, Tuesday, April 2, 2013

The newest LEGOLAND Discovery Center opens this week in Westchester County, N.Y., bringing more than 3 million bricks under one roof. The center features rides, workshops, play areas and a cinema. For more information about hours and admission prices, visit http://www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/westchester
Photo: Contributed Photo

The newest LEGOLAND Discovery Center opens this week in Westchester...

Some children test their hand-built creations in the LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Kansas City. This is one of the activities that will be featured the new discovery center opening this week in Yonkers, N.Y.. For more information about hours and admission prices, visit http://www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/westchester.
Photo: Contributed Photo

Reached a week before the center's March 27 grand opening. Mines said it was much quieter than he expected it would be once the doors officially opened to the 32,300 square foot space.

"From here on out, it's going to be really busy," he said.

Aimed toward families with children 3 to 12, the center features interactive rides, a 4-D cinema experience, iconic sites and buildings of the area in Miniland and master model builder workshops.

"It is like jumping into the biggest box of Legos, really," Mines said, adding that there are more than 3 million Lego bricks actually in the building. More than 1.5 million of them are in Miniland alone.

"There is a building test area, too, where kids can build cars and race against one another," he said.

Duplo village will likely be a stop for toddlers and the whole family can have their seats at the theater. Don the glasses to enjoy the 3-D experience and make sure to stay alert to enjoy the 4-D experience, which enhances images on the screen with special sensory effects such as wind and scents.

"Our master model builder will be running workshops throughout the day, revealing the secrets of building fantastic models," Mines said. "We'll talk through the fundamentals of building ... and how to build to last."

Mines said participants can even test their Lego engineering skills at the earthquake table, which, with a few shakes, can test the structure of any model or sculpture.

Mines said research at the other discovery centers have shown that the average visit is about two to three hours.

"I'm sure the kids would like to spend all day here, though," he said.

"We are very proud to be part of the community," Mines said, adding that the center has already created about 100 jobs.

It may appear to be all about kids' play, but Mines said parents are just as encouraged to play.

"It is all about the playful learning," he said. "There really is something for everyone."